Physiological Footwear Sales Booming

Category Inventor MBT Market Leader in Most Countries

ROMANSHORN, Switzerland, January 12 - New data by The NPD Group, Inc. a US-based market research company, has
revealed that the physiological footwear category is booming. Physiological
footwear's unstable sole construction simulates barefoot walking on soft,
uneven natural ground, thus activating the small muscles throughout the body.
According to NPD, the category's sales have increased four-fold during the 12
months ending November 2009 vs. the previous year. NPD has calculated the US
market to be worth $76 million, in the four retail channels that the company
tracks. Estimates by the trade magazine Footwear Insight value the worldwide
market to $100 million. The vast majority of US sales are credited to women
who buy the footwear for their toning and shaping effects.

The rise of physiological footwear has had a clear impact on the walking
category, NPD says. Physiological footwear now generates almost 25% of the
walking volume in the US. Sales of walking footwear without the physiological
function have gone down by 12%.

Among the brands to benefit most from the boom is category inventor MBT.
The Swiss company that invented the concept of unstable footwear has sold
more than five million pairs in over 30 markets and experiences double-digit
growth.

As the only brand whose functionality is proven by extensive academic
research, MBT remains the leader in most markets. Unlike competitor brands,
it doesn't solely focus on female toning and shaping but is also recommended
by doctors to alleviate back and joint pain.

    Press contact:

    Christina.hanke@mbt.com
    +41-71-454-68-30

Press contact: Christina.hanke at mbt.com, +41-71-454-68-30b